Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

I am glad that the meetings are open to the public. Anything that Carol Chambers is a part of in regards to justice is something that needs to be watched. There doesn't seem to be a lot of community input into this process. "One resident to be appointed at a later time" doesn't seem very inclusive.

The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners established a new Justice Coordinating Committee that will create a forum to review, recommend and advise the board on issues concerning the county's justice system.

The committee will oversee a continuing dialogue among residents, the courts, law enforcement and local, state and county government on such issues as space needs and efficiencies in Arapahoe County's courts and jail.

Establishment of the committee comes after the completion of a two-year study that addressed jail overcrowding and space needs in the courts. The report outlined a variety of short- and long-term solutions to address the problems.

"The [committee] is just another step by Arapahoe County to ensure we have the most efficient justice system in the state," said commissioner Jim Dyer, of Centennial, who will serve on the committee. "The committee will advise the board of county commissioners on any necessary steps needed to ensure we are getting the best use of our facilities and our tax dollars before we move forward with any expansion plans."

The other members of the committee are eastern Centennial's commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, Sheriff Grayson Robinson, Chief Judge William Sylvester, District Attorney Carol Chambers and Greenwood Village Mayor pro tem Ron Rakowsky. One Arapahoe County resident will be appointed later.

Officials say the committee's goals will be to provide a better understanding of civil-justice problems, enhance cooperation among local governments, establish clear objectives and priorities and improve planning to help agencies improve efficiency.